Lulu (Lucelle) Stuart Benstead was born in Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory on the 5th February 1891. The daughter of goldfields pioneer, Bill (William) Benstead and Triphenia Lucelle Willesee nee RAINS. She travelled to Coolgardie with her family, arriving in about 1895. Lulu is believed to be the first white child to be born […]
A Sensational Narrative of Adventure:
28/08/2021 By Leave a Comment
The following account of an interview with Messrs. Bayley and Ford, the discoverers of Coolgardie, is taken from the Australian Mining Standard of November 18th:- The West Australian – 1 Dec 1893, Pg 7 THE DISCOVERERS OF COOLGARDIE. Bayley and Ford Firstly a word of personal description may not be out of place just here. […]
The Search for the real Walter Robert Fitzgerald-Moore
24/07/2021 By Leave a Comment
AN IRISH ROMANCER: THE SEARCH FOR THE REAL WALTER ROBERT FITZGERALD-MOORE Walter Moore, if that was his real name!, was my grandfather, but he died 25 years before I was born. His origins are shrouded in mystery and even the circumstances of his death – “in the arms of his mistress” as my father so […]
With Murderous Intent:
03/07/2021 By Leave a Comment
In the early Goldfields days, life was harsh and death came often to families. Not just to the old and very young, but often those in the prime of life would be taken suddenly. The main causes of death were diseases such as typhoid and accidents both at work and in the home. The child […]
A Lost and Desolate Wanderer
12/06/2021 By Leave a Comment
Evening Journal, Adelaide, 30 January 1894 A Terrible Experience at Coolgardie. A well known and respected resident of Kent Town has received a letter from his son, who recently went to Coolgardie from Adelaide, from which the following is extracted: On December 24th and 25th (Merry Christmas Day), I was dying, a lost and desolate […]
